
Juggling work and motherhood is never easy, and Kirsten Dunst discovered just how overwhelming it can be while filming abroad. While filming her upcoming movie, “The Entertainment System” Is Down in Budapest, earlier this year, the actress revealed her younger son, James, faced what she described as a âserious health scare.â
Dunst, who shares sons Ennis, 7, and James, 4, with husband Jesse Plemons, told Town & Country that the family had relocated to Hungary for the six-month shoot.

They rented a home and enrolled Ennis in school, but their plans took an unexpected turn when James became seriously ill.
Jesse Steps In for Family Support

As the situation escalated, Plemons returned to Los Angeles with both children to lean on their extended support system, leaving Dunst in Budapest to continue filming. The actress admitted to Town & Country in an interview published August 20, it was a difficult period, though she managed a short trip home in April to reunite with her family.
While Dunst kept the details of Jamesâ illness private, she confirmed that âeveryone is fine now.â Still, she described how frightening it was to be away from her children while one was sick, comparing the feeling to imagining worst-case scenarios.
âItâs like Final Destination, where youâre imagining all the things that could go wrong, worst case scenarios happening to your child,â Dunst explained. âI have never seen that movie. But I know the concept. Thatâs how it feels to be a mother at times.â
A New Perspective on Family
With time to reflect, Dunst said the experience ultimately deepened their family bond. âIt brought us together as a family in such a deeper way,â she shared.
As a way to heal and celebrate moving past the scare, the family planned a special vacation âanywhere James wanted to go.â His choice was simple: a beach where his sandcastle wouldnât wash away. The family honored his wish and headed to the Bahamas.
A Glimpse Into Jamesâ Personality
Though she usually keeps her personal life private, Dunst has occasionally shared glimpses of her children. On Jimmy Kimmel Live! in April 2024, she joked about Jamesâ spirited personality.
âHeâs almost three and when heâs bad we call him Jimmy,â she said at the time. âHeâs out of control. We actually call him baby Chris Farley because of the way he walks around and heâs just hilarious. Heâs a crazy little dude.â
For Dunst, the health scare was a reminder of how precious family time is, despite the demands of Hollywood schedules.
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